The grand opening of the Boylston Street (Boston) was a huge success, with a large crowd, mild and dry weather, and a store that breaks records and sets standards for future locations. By 5:10 p.m. I counted 470 persons in line, east on Boylston and then north on Fairfield Street between bicycle barricades. The non-attending sidewalk crowd on both sides of Boylston continued to increase as the hour approached 6 p.m. About 15 minutes before the hour, all 135 of the employees ran out to give high-fives to the crowd, and then disappeared into the back door. At precisely 6 p.m. store manager Joe appeared outside and yelled above the din of the employees yelling inside from every step of the stairs. He welcomed the waiting line and then motioned Steve, the first person in line, forward into the store. Steve made a right turn from his position outside the store and headed in accompanied by a tremendous roar from the staff. The incoming crowd headed upstairs, giving high-fives to the staff all along the way. The crowd continued to enter the store in groups of 25, each sparking another round of loud handclapping and yelling.
Jason Varitek (catcher), pitcher Jon Lester and outfielder Coco Crisp appeared inside the Apple store within the first hour. It’s presumed that other players will appear in the hours before midnight.
On entry each visitor received a white T-shirt box containing a Green Monster-colored T-shirt that is unique among the giveaways that Apple has previously provide–T-shirts are traditionally black with white lettering. The company also hounded out Red Sox “red” iPod cozzies accompanied by a Monster Green green card. Check some grand opening photos here.
Check Gizmodo coverage of the press event that includes a photo of Sr. V-P Retail Ron Johnson and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, along with some interior photos. The Boston Globe also covered the event. A video of Johnson talking to the press is at the necn.com Web site.
Overnight photos–
Here are some news links of the store opening-
- Boston Globe
- Gizmodo on press event
- Computer Reseller News on Tech Superpower
- The iLife
- Ducky Does TV
- Mike Kruckenberg’s blog with roof photos
- Boston Globe photos
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That’s me!! I’ll probably be wearing a Red RedSox Hooded Sweatshirt and Jeans. I’ll be roaming about from about 2pm till probably 9pm on Thursday Night! Hope to see all there!
PS: If any of the correspondents read this, Please e-mail me and we can exchange numbers or something! rlynch21086@gmail.com
Thanks Guys!
Planning on heading down Thursday afternoon. Wondering about the best place to park near the Apple Store…
You can park at the prudential center across the street, but the area is very congested and crowded, it will take a while even to drive to the parking garage. The T (public transport) is always available if you need it, though you have to admit it’s not doing too well.
I had been looking at parking at the Prudential Center’s garage, but it’s a bit expensive. I think I may park at the Boston Common Garage. It’s only $11 to park all evening, if you enter after 4 p.m. (http://www.mccahome.com/bcg_rat.html) At the Pru it’s $12 to park after 5 p.m. and only with at least a $10 purchase from a store or restaurant. (http://www.prudentialcenter.com/parking/rates.php) Then I just have to take a six block stroll down to the Pru.
It’s a little bit of a walk, but it’s a great deal, yes. Gary, here’s a pic of this beauty totally unwrapped, looks STUNNING, especially with the contrast to the historic buildings surrounding it on 3 sides (all sides besides Prudential Center).
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2287/2490246681_a8e5d9ab30_b.jpg
The T (subway) is by far the best way to get to the store. Take the Green line (B, C, or D train) to Copley or Hynes.
I probably won’t be there until 4:30 or so…
Ryan,
I’m one of the other correspondents. I’ve just written to you. Can’t wait for tomorrow. It’s going to be awesome!
Just checked the weather forecast – right now, Weather.com’s saying that “few showers” should end between 3 and 4 pm, though the chance of precipitation will remain around 20% with a relative humidity of 50%. We’re looking at mostly cloudy skies and temperatures around 60F. Might want to bring a light jacket/raincoat just in case. :-)
are people already waiting in line??????
Steve: I’m heading over for a few minutes in a bit. I’ll let you know when I get back.
I doubt there are, but you never know!
Is there an elevator in the middle of the staircase, just like in the 5th Ave. store, or is the elevator tucked into the back somewhere?
Nobody is in line yet. The guy out front said that he wasn’t expecting anyone to line up until tomorrow morning….
When I spoke with Gary a couple of hours ago, it sounded like he’d heard about a staff family event tonight (similar to the press event this afternoon), so I’d expect that nobody is going to be allowed to line up prior to that.
Just a guess, though.
I just dropped by and there was one guy “waiting” in line. I asked him if he was in line and what his game plan was for the night, and he said “It’s opening in three hours.” I broke it to him gently that the store was opening tomorrow, and he insisted the fact that his wait was 27 hours and not three didn’t change his plan to be first in line (though I saw him leave a few minutes later.)
I can’t get off work tomorrow, or I’d be there in the morning. I’m going to try my luck showing up at around 5:00 (which is totally asking to be 4532nd in line, but it’s the best I can do.)
roof garden
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2310/2492340023_3fac30c5ba.jpg?v=0
If there’s one nearby, Boston Area McDonald’s have some “free with meal” purchases pushing their chicken sandwiches. For breakfast, it’s a chicken biscuit with the purchase of a drink, and for lunch, it’s a chicken sandwich also with the purchase of a drink.
http://www.yelp.com/events/boston-free-mcdonalds-southern-style-chicken-biscuit-or-sandwich
My roommate and our girlfriends were planning on camping out overnight just for kicks. You think this is still doable? [IFO -- Shouldn't be a problem. It'll be a mellow group.]
Come on down. There’s a few of us here already.
Are you planning on spending the whole night?
yep.
Any way to upload a pic of the current scene?
Steven: How many is a “few”? I’m one of the correspondants for the site, and am not planning on being there till afternoon tomorrow.
BTW: If you don’t mind I may interview you guys when I arrive tomorrow.
Hey!
Im thrilled for tomorrow; and to think that Boston now has its own flagship!
Dont forget, its free Dunkin iced coffee tomorrow!
When in Boston…!
If anyone’s interested for comparison purposes, I took a photo of the location two years ago after the news first broke:
http://prwdot.org/gallery2/v/events/2006/boston_may_7/P1080922.JPG.html
Well I’m going to take a 3-4hr “nap” before driving down from NH. I’m wondering if you guys are still there as supposedly Boston Police won’t allow anyone to line up till 6AM.
See ya’ soon.
Thought people might find this interesting:
http://chrisdevers.vox.com/library/post/apple-store-boylston-street.html
We are still here. It is just getting light out and the cleaning crews are finishing up their work. Get in early if you want front row seats!
We were out on Newbury Street for dinner yesterday…here are some night shots of Apple Store on Boylston Street before opening day.
http://www.rainydaymagazine.com/RDM2008/Home/May/RDMHomeMay08W3.htm#DayBefore
I am planning on going at around 1 and hope to get a free tee shirt!
I’m one of the Correspondents for this site, and I’m heading down soon. I’ll be there around 2pm. I’m wearing grey tshirt and white cargo shorts. I’ll have my Flip Camcorder out so if you see me, let me know and I’ll interview you!
I would not be surprised if the future Montreal flagship store will have very similar design
http://gallery.mac.com/tylko#100036&bgcolor=black&view=grid
I’ve blogged our visit to the store, including a link to all of my photos from the evening:
http://prwdot.org/2008/05/16/apple-store-boylston-street/
I’ve uploaded a Photo Slideshow to youtube with all 60+ photos I took tonight. I’m uploading a movie now of the in line experience, including interviews with the 1st person in line, and people that were in line behind me (we started the 2nd line on Fairfield St) and the employees running down the line just before the opening.
I’ll have footage of the actual opening in the morning.
It’s been a pleasure being a Correspondent for this site, Gary, if you would like me to do it again when the iPhone is hopefully released let me know and I’ll be glad to get footage from this store!
The Link to my youtube videos are at http://www.youtube.com/user/AppleBoylstonOpening
Enjoy!
I’d like echo Ryan’s sentiments, Gary. Thanks so much for letting me be a correspondent. I’ll be putting my footage together over the weekend (as well as uploading the still pix I took).
In the meantime, here are two very loud videos I recorded in the store using Viddler.com’s “Record with Webcam” feature:
http://www.viddler.com/explore/chrisclark/videos/93/
http://www.viddler.com/explore/chrisclark/videos/94/